Kris Commons believes Rangers have a big vulnerability heading into the title run-in with Celtic.
The Hoops will go to Ibrox this weekend knowing that a victory would ensure we take a 6 point lead at the top of the Premiership into the final 6 games. In other words, it would mean only a cataclysmic disaster would lead to us losing the title from that position.
Both sides will still need to negotiate tough post-split fixtures too. However, Celtic are going into this weekend’s match on the back of a 31-game unbeaten domestic run. Not to mention they’ve only dropped points once in 2022.
And Commons believes this is a key area where Celtic hold an advantage regardless of what happens at Ibrox on Sunday. Speaking via his Scottish Daily Mail column [print edition, 28/03, page 70], Commons said: “It’s not just the fact that Celtic would go six points clear. There are a few different things you have to consider in all of this.
“It’s the psychological damage they could inflict on Rangers if they were to beat them on their own patch on the back of that Celtic Park annihilation. There’s also the fact that Rangers are still juggling their domestic ambitions with trying to make further progress in the Europa League.
“Even beyond next week’s game, I still feel there’s a vulnerability to this Rangers team domestically and I sense that they could drop more points from now until the end of the season. I don’t get that same impression from Celtic at the moment. They look extremely slick and well-drilled. Postecoglou has created an animal.”
Mental strength just as important as technical ability for Celtic from here on in
Celtic as we all know have the best squad in the league. However, it’s the mindset which will be just as important from here on in. Regardless of what happens at Ibrox, there will be some must-win fixtures immediately after it.
The Hoops have still to go to some tough venues where people will be expecting them to drop points. Places like the Tony Macaroni Arena or Easter Road, for example, could pose problems. But only if Celtic allow them to do so.
We’ve shown throughout this season that when our back is against the wall, we can grind out successful winning runs. But there’s a new question being asked of this Celtic team now. the question of whether they can cope with the title heat heading into the final phase of games. Whether we truly do have the mental strength to hold on.
In years gone by this wouldn’t have been an issue. It wouldn’t have been a debate even worth discussing. The reason being that Celtic had been over the course regularly during their 9-in-a-row run. They knew how to get the job done.
But this year it’s a different team with a different manager. Regardless of how positive the entire campaign has been for us so far, there’s still a big question of mentality to be asked of them. That’s something Ange and the players will need to rise to.
It doesn’t matter whether Rangers drop points or not. These Celtic players can’t assume that they’ll drop any. No doubt that’s a message that will be getting pushed around the dressing room as the season nears its end.
In other news, Everton star Seamus Coleman admits he looks up to Celtic great
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